Sudbury Youth Basketball League- Fun Without Keeping Score

Program Description

Sudbury Youth Basketball (SYB) provides a safe and balanced learning environment for players of all abilities that develops athletic skills, character, sportsmanship, and teamwork for Sudbury school children in grades 3 through 8 through their participation in competitive basketball.

There are no championship banners, no trophies, no MVPs, no scoring champion That's partly why the Sudbury Youth Basketball League has to be considered one of Greater Sudbury's best sports success stories in recent memory. The league, which turned 16 this year, introduces youngsters to the sport as young as eight, and runs three divisions up to the age of 13.Attend a SYBL game and it's impossible to know who is ahead, who is behind and who any of the kids on either team belong to. All the parents and both benches clap and cheer when a basket is scored, no matter the player or what jersey they are wearing.

There is no score kept, the four players on the floor for each team are substituted at regular intervals and change positions at the same time. Everyone gets the same court time, the same chance to play forward or guard, the same opportunity to improve their skills while having fun in a no-pressure environment.

Scott Hancock is in his first season as league president, and he gushes about the organization, the players, the parents and just about anything else connected to the league."It's a feel-good story, the ultimate recreational sports story," he says. "The kids have fun, the parents enjoy it, even the referees love it."

SYBL hosts more than 300 players every season.

Funding Sources:

Brian P. Smith Photos
Sudbury Farms

Strategies For Sustainability:

The focus is on fun for all the age groups."The kids get all the dynamics of a team sport but without the downside of the pressure of a team sport,"If they start at a young age and have a good experience with the game they will continue to play. There is always a waiting list of players.

Impact Of Program:

About 300 kids a season participate.
Young referees and coaches also learn the ropes at SYBL games.

Evaluation Tools:

Evaluation survey, feedback from participants.

Key Elements Towards Success:

"I believe it's the fact we don't keep score, it's the the four-on-four format where every kid gets to play, the way the rules are structured so every kid gets to shoot the ball, pass it and bring it up the floor and play different positions. It's just about improving your skills.

Challenges To Meet Them:

This program is very successful because people love it and many volunteers help support it. All who participate focus on creating a positive experience.